Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device including a pair of nonaligned hand grips rotatably mounted on a nonlinear bar and spring biased to provide adjustable resistance to motion through predetermined symmetrical strokes. The device preferably includes detachable auxiliary weights which enable the total weight of the device to be adjusted. The spring biasing force applied to the grips is preferably individually adjustable for each grip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An exercise device comprising: a nonlinear bar which includes first and second substantially linear end portions;   first and second rotatable grips, the first rotatable grip being disposed coaxially of the first linear end portion of the bar, the second rotatable grip being disposed coaxially of the second linear end portion of the bar, both grips being rotatable with respect to the bar;   biasing means applying torque to the grips, which biasing means is a pair of opposite-handed torsional coil springs, each being disposed within a respective one of said grips for torsion loading said grips in opposite directions;   stop means associated with each of the grips defining a limited range of motion for each of the grips relative to their respective end portions of the bar; and   adjustment means for varying the torque applied by the biasing means;   the biasing means being oriented so that the torque is applied to the respective grips symmetrically to rotate both wrists in the same direction;   whereby a user may provide equivalent exercise for both arms simultaneously.   
     
     
       2. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said coil springs has a first end affixed to said bar and an opposite end fixed relative to its associated grip. 
     
     
       3. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises a pair of removable fasteners attached to said bar, one adjacent each of said grips, and means on each of said grips for engaging said removable fasteners. 
     
     
       4. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said adjustment means comprises a pair of bolts, one extending longitudinally within each of said grips, each of said springs having one end attached to said bolt for rotation therewith. 
     
     
       5. An exercise device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said adjustment means further comprise a pair of set screws, one associated with each grip, for selectively locking said bolts in place in predetermined positions relative to the respective grips. 
     
     
       6. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of removable weights. 
     
     
       7. An exercise device in accordance with claim 6 wherein the stop means comprises at least one shoulder on each grip and a pair of screws, one associated with each of said grips, each screw being insertable into a threaded bore in the bar and positionable for engagement with a shoulder on a respective one of the grips. 
     
     
       8. An exercise device comprising: a nonlinear bar which includes first and second substantially linear end portions;   first and second rotatable grips, the first rotatable grip being disposed coaxially of the first linear end portion of the bar, the second rotatable grip being disposed coaxially of the second linear end portion of the bar, both grips being rotatable with respect to the bar;   first biasing means applying torque to said first grip, which first biasing means is a torsional spring operable to have its torque load increased by one of a clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of said first grip about said bar;   second biasing means applying torque to said second grip independently of said first biasing means, which second biasing means is a torsional spring operable to have its torque load increased by the same one of a clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of said second grip about said bar said first and second biasing means being loaded in opposite directions;   stop means associated with each of the grips defining a limited range of motion for each of the grips relative to their respective end portions of the bar; and   adjustment means for independently varying the torque applied by the first and second biasing means respectively;   the biasing means being oriented so the torque is applied to the respective grips symmetrically.   
     
     
       9. An exercise device in accordance with claim 8 wherein each of the grips has an internal stepped bore that has a first portion of relatively large diameter for receiving one of the substantially linear end portions of the bar, and a second portion of smaller diameter contiguous and axially aligned therewith; the first and second torsional springs, one disposed within each of the grips, located in the first, relatively large diameter portion of the internal bore thereof;   each of the springs being a coil spring having a diameter greater than the diameter of the second portion of the bore;   the adjustment means including a pair of bolts, one engaging the second portion of the bore of each of the grips, and a pair of set screws for locking the bolts in predetermined positions relative to the grips.   
     
     
       10. An exercise device in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of the bolts is in threaded engagement with the first portion of its associated bore. 
     
     
       11. An exercise device in accordance with claim 10 wherein each said bolt has a transversely grooved inner end for engaging a respective one of said springs. 
     
     
       12. A method of operating an exercise device having a pair of nonaligned, rotatable, torsionally-biased grips disposed at opposite ends of a rigid bar, comprising the steps of: placing one's hands on said grips;   rotating the grips simultaneously in a first exercise wherein the grips are first rotated outwardly against the torsional bias, then rotated back inwardly in the same direction as the torsional bias;   rotating the device 180° to reverse the grips; and   rotating the grips simultaneously in a second exercise wherein the grips are first rotated inwardly against the torsional bias, then rotated back outward in the same direction as the torsional bias;   the grips being moved simultaneously in opposite directions relative to the respective ends of the bar in each exercise, so that the user's hands and wrists are moved in symmetrical motion relative to one another in each exercise.   
     
     
       13. An exercise device for developing arm muscles, said device comprising: a nonlinear member having a central section and two symmetrical free end sections extending angularly and at equal angles from the central section;   a rotatable grip on each free end section mounted for turning movement on each end section; and   biasing means, which biasing means is a pair of opposite handed torsional coil springs each being disposed within a respective one of said grips, providing a resistance force against turning of the user's arms and wrists in a first common directional movement when the central section is in a first position;   said biasing means providing a resistance force against turning of the user's arms and wrists in a second common opposite directional movement when the central section has been turned through 180° from the first position.